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Rockome Gardens is currently closed for the winter. Amish Tours can still be scheduled, however, and Raggedy Ann and Andy mail-orders will still be taken.
For an overview of Rockome Gardens, here is a short video with owner Steve Maher discussing the park
http://illinoishomepage.net/fulltext?nxd_id=254187
Historic Gardens
 
Rockome Gardens is known for its unique rock creations interspersed throughout the extensive gardens. Visitors can take a leisurely stroll throughout them all, filled with tens of thousands of flowers and other plants. Different gardens have different themes, and you will discover something new everytime you visit.
Rockome Restaurant
 
The Rockome Restaurant features delicious, home-cooked meals, with a Lunch and Dinner Buffet Monday through Saturday, and a Brunch on Sunday. The Restaurant is being run by the Herschberger Family, who also own Yoder's Kitchen in Arthur IL.
Hours:
Monday through Saturday
11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Sunday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
217-268-4212
Rockome Garden Foods and Cheese Factory
 
Rockome Garden Foods is located near the park entrance and open year around. This bulk food store is different from other food stores in that it is also an active learning center. There is a cheese factory with a large window where visitors can watch cheese being made. This cheese is available for sampling as well as purchasing in the store. An active beehive, complete with observatory window, is also here, giving visitors an opportunity to watch the honey being made, as well as purchase this very honey. A bakery and candy shop also give visitors the opportunity to watch as their delicious treats are being created. Visitors can also observe a grist mill grind corn, wheat and oats into meal and flour for baking.There is also a deli and meat counter where sandwiches can be purchased. Please visit their website for additional information.
http://www.rockomefoods.com
Amish Museum
 
The Illinois Amish museum is dedicated to the Old Order Amish, and features exhibits that depict and explain the Amish lifestyle. These exhibits include quilts, buggies, barns, homes and more. Visitors can enjoy an 18-minute video that introduces them to the Amish faith and
lifestyle while sitting on Amish church benches. The museum gift shop carries a wide variety of Amish gift items such as Amish dolls, cookbooks, books, DVD's and more. For additional information, please visit their website.
http://www.amishcenter.com
Antique Barn Mall
 
The Antique Barn is located in a large red barn at the center of the park. This 1,300-square foot barn has an area filled with a variety of booths with many interesting items for sale. Vintage clothing, jewelry and accessories are some of the items that the Antique Barn specializes in. For information on becoming a vendor, please contact Jenene Carlyle at 217.454.1469.
Children's Petting Zoo
 
Children of all ages will enjoy the variety of friendly animals in Rockome's petting zoo, especially Festus the donkey. Festus will let you know that he is hungry in no uncertain tones! Animal feed is available to purchase for a nominal fee.
Tic-Tac-Toe Chicken
Play the chicken - who will win?
Blacksmith's Shop
 
The Blacksmith Shop is located in the "Old Town" area on Main Street. A blacksmith will demonstrate and create a variety of objects by forging the metal then using tools to hammer, bend and cut to the design of his choice.
Country Heritage Gift Shop
 
This spacious gift shop carries a variety of very nice gifts, including Thomas Kincaid, Intarsia Wood, Willow Creek Angels, Terry Rendlin and more.
Trading Post
 
The Trading post carries a variety of Native American items, such as jewelry, beads, artwork and clothing. Their knowledgable staff will answer any questions you may have concerning the culture and history of the Native Americans. Children will love the Sluice Box Mining located in front of the store, where they pan for their own precious and semi-precious stones. There is also a teepee in front that is fun to explore, and atlatl and fire starting demonstrations are provided at various times.
Sarah's General Store
This store is located inside two old schoolhouses in the "Old Town" area of the park. Sarah's carries Rockome souvenirs and trinkets, as well as an assortment of decorative rocks. Yoders Amish Handcrafted Furniture is located in a section of this store as well. For custom-made furniture that will last a lifetime, visit Yoders.
Elvan's Ice Cream Shop
 
There's not much better on a warm summer day than an ice cream! Elvan's specializes in Flavor Burst soft serve ice cream in a cake or waffle cone as well as shakes. Hot dogs, chips, popcorn and soda is also available.
Marcella's Corner ~ The Official Raggedy Ann & Andy Shop
 
Did you know that Johnny Gruelle, the creator of Raggedy Ann and Raggedy Andy, was born and raised as a small child in Arcola, IL? This September America's favorite red head - Raggedy Ann - will be 96 years old! Visit the website for additional information on this wonderful shop!
http://www.marcellasraggedyann.com
Old School House
 
For a glimpse into days gone by, visit the original East Prairie school, a one-room schoolhouse previously located two miles west of Rockome Gardens in the rural countryside. This schoolhouse was attended by Old Order Amish as well as non-Amish children prior to its closing in 1966. It was moved to Rockome Gardens in 1968.
Old Hickory Railroad
 
The Old Hickory Railroad is being revived through a group of volunteers and the "Rockome Railroad Club". These model trains are "G" gauge, with the "G" standing for "Garden". Children of all ages will enjoy watching these trains as they run the tracks, traversing a variety of terrain.
Buggy Rides
 
Visitors can really connect with the Amish way of life by touring the gardens in a horse-drawn buggy. Our friendly drivers will enlighten and entertain you with fascinating stories as well as information about the Amish lifestyle.
Train Rides
 
Rockome's new, smaller train will give you a break with a slow ride through the gardens.
Horse-powered Buzz Saw
 
photos courtesy of Alison Cremeens
You will want to stop and watch the horse-drawn buzz saw in action! The horse powers the saw to cut off a slice of a log, then you can then take the slab of wood to the blacksmith to have your name burned into the wood - what a unique souvenir!
Martin House / Amish Home
 
The Martin house was the summer home of Arthur Martin, who originally created the gardens in the late 1930's. There is a history of this home on the "Rockome Gardens Preservation" page of this website. This home is scheduled for restoration this year. When this is complete, tours will be available of the home, with an area set aside to show the history of Rockome Gardens.
Tatman-Hudson Cabin-1840
 
photos courtesy of Alison Cremeens
This authentic log cabin was built by Caleb Tatman, and he and his daughters, Nellie and Eva, lived in it on the Sangamon River near Monitcello, IL. Tatman was a prominent citizen who served as Piatt County Superintendent of Schools, practiced law and invested in real estate. He owned this cabin until his death in 1927, when it was deeded to his daughters and remained in the Tatman family until the 1960's. Keith and Pat Hudson acquired the property years later, and donated the cabin to Rockome Gardens in 2007.
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